Terry Thinks His Socks Are the Wildcats’ Meow

Maybe it was the shoes? Jason Terry missed all nine of his shots in the first round against Nicholls State, blaming the performance on his socks. His trademark “Cats” knee-highs had been left in Arizona.

He wasn’t taking any chances this week.

“I packed them myself this time,” said Terry, a 6-foot-2 junior. “I packed four pairs. The equipment guy forgot them last time. He still has a job.”

So does Terry, despite going 0 for 5 from the field while wearing his socks Thursday. He did have five assists in Arizona’s 87-79 victory.

“I’ve been wearing the high socks since I was in high school,” Terry said. “We had five starters, all about he same height. I had to do something to stand out to recruiters.”

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Terry, considered by many the best sixth man in the nation, started 18 games a year ago, most while Miles Simon was academically ineligible.

But he has had no problems coming off the bench, backing up Simon and Mike Bibby.

“It was decided that I was the one who could take the cut in minutes,” said Terry, who averages 10.8 points. “The first five minutes are tough. I get in and I have to make a steal or hit a three, to make an immediate impact.”

He got in Thursday, made a steal, and missed a three.